Former New York Gov. George Pataki, the last Republican to lead the state, has endorsed one of the two GOP-ers vying to challenge Rep. Tim Bishop, the embattled Democrat who represents a Long Island swing district.

Pataki endorsed George Demos, a former Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer who is making his third bid for the First Congressional District. Demos worked on Pataki’s reelection in 1998, and they share an adviser, current New York City mayoral candidate Joe Lhota’s campaign manager Rob Cole.

Pataki described the status quo as “broken” and attached Bishop to President Barack Obama, describing the president’s and Bishop’s “failed agenda” as something the candidate would fight.

Demos announced last week he’d seek the seat again. GOP state Sen. Lee Zeldin, who has run for the seat before, also announced this week that he’ll seek the seat again.

Bishop, who represents a swing district in middle-class Suffolk County, has been a top GOP target for years. He’s recently been the subject of a House Ethics probe involving allegations he sought a campaign donation from a contributor after agreeing to help the person secure fireworks permits for his son’s Bar Mitzvah party.